Naruto: Forbidden Arts and an Immortal Agenda

"I don't need recognition from the clan members!"

Uchiha Aozora's words left Fugaku Uchiha speechless, and they also angered him.

Without leaving any room for compromise, Uchiha Aozora directly said, "Clan Head, I'll say it again—I need free time. Without that, there's no point in talking further."

Fugaku remained silent for a moment before asking, "Are you prepared to abandon the clan already? Uchiha Aozora!"

His tone was extremely serious, especially when he emphasized Uchiha Aozora's name at the end.

Facing the clan head's almost accusatory tone, Uchiha Aozora remained calm and evenly replied, "Clan Head, isn't it actually you who abandoned the clan?"

Fugaku's eyes widened as he angrily asked, "What exactly do you mean?"

Uchiha Aozora met his gaze and asked bluntly,

"Isn't it you who abandoned the clan?"

"Haven't you been selling out the clan's interests all these years?"

"What happened with Obito's Sharingan—you let the power leave our clan."

"The relocation of the Uchiha Compound—you were the one leading our compromise with the village."

Uchiha Aozora's voice wasn't loud, nor did he sound confrontational, yet his words struck Fugaku's heart like hammer blows.

Previously, Fugaku could have easily scolded Uchiha Aozora for speaking nonsense without batting an eyelash.

However, after the recent protests, he now clearly understood the quiet threat lurking within Konoha's leadership.

Originally, he thought it had only been Danzo's feud with the Uchiha, with other leaders merely favoring Danzo.

But the truth was that the entire leadership had already united, determined to destroy the Uchiha.

Seeing a flicker of guilt on Fugaku's face, Uchiha Aozora thought to himself: *I haven't even mentioned how shamefully you gave up your life during the massacre night!*

Uchiha Aozora didn't say these things to provoke Fugaku—he wanted him to realize his position.

*'He is the leader of the Uchiha!'*

*On his shoulders rests the lives of hundreds within the clan!*

Yet Fugaku still held onto his beliefs: "The peace we've achieved today came at great cost. Escalating tensions would bring nothing but greater disaster—neither benefiting the Uchiha nor Konoha."

Uchiha Aozora snorted mockingly. "No wonder you're the clan head—your tolerance and broad thinking really are something special."

Naturally, Fugaku caught the contempt behind that laughter and coldly responded with a snort, "You hold a different opinion?"

Uchiha Aozora shook his head. "How dare I? The clan head cherishes Konoha so much, so we ordinary clan members must tighten our belts and fall in line with the clan head's path."

Fugaku naturally understood the implied meaning behind Uchiha Aozora's words as he replied, "We are part of Konoha too."

"Fascinating~"

Uchiha Aozora chuckled.

"So the Uchiha really are second-class citizens!"

"We're citizens of Konoha too, yet only we are supposed to sacrifice our own interests for others?"

Fugaku stood silent, unable to counter Uchiha Aozora's sharp words. After a long pause, he finally said, "From what you've said, I can see that you still care deeply about the clan."

Uchiha Aozora replied, "From your words, I can see you still truly love Konoha."

Since Fugaku still hadn't accepted his request or firmly taken the clan's side, Uchiha Aozora no longer wished to chat idly with him.

After saying that, Uchiha Aozora started focusing on eating his meal.

Aozora's rejection was obvious, and Fugaku wasn't blind—in fact, his eyes were sharp and his mind clear.

Fugaku forced himself to pick up the cup and took a couple of large gulps.

He had originally thought that by personally coming here and making his intentions clear, Aozora would naturally agree to become his assistant.

But he hadn't expected Aozora to respond with such sharp words.

Today wasn't a clan meeting—it was just a private conversation. He couldn't possibly use [Immobilization Jutsu] to silence Aozora.

Aozora's words deeply affected him.

In recent years, he truly had made too many compromises for the sake of the village, compromises that had harmed the clan members' interests.

Our own clan is on the brink of ruin, yet I'm still worrying about Konoha's fate?

He recalled Aozora's passionate speech during the clan meeting, and how the Konoha elders had coldly suppressed their protests.

After all these years pushing the Uchiha to this desperate point, he himself bore significant responsibility.

One drank, the other dined in silence.

After quite some time, when the plates were nearly empty, Fugaku finally spoke slowly: "I stood in the wrong place. As the clan head, I've indeed been inadequate."

With that, he closed his eyes.

Aozora lifted his head in surprise.

He hadn't expected Fugaku to be so candid—to actually admit his own mistakes.

Opening his eyes, Fugaku said to Aozora: "I accept your conditions. I'll find another assistant to handle minor affairs.

You no longer need to deal with simple tasks or routine clan meetings.

However, for certain important meetings, I will inform you beforehand—and those meetings, you must attend!"

His gaze burned with intensity, leaving no room for refusal.

Aozora set down his chopsticks and sat upright. "Of course."

He solemnly accepted Fugaku's offer.

Without interfering with his cultivation, he was willing to get involved in clan affairs.

Besides, if Fugaku corrected his stance and combined efforts with his help, perhaps they could avoid the clan's destruction without resorting to violence.

With the issue of becoming an assistant settled, both men relaxed slightly and poured Fugaku another cup of wine.

This time, Fugaku tasted it properly before saying, "Excellent wine!"

After savoring the lingering taste, Fugaku casually remarked, "I acted rashly at the clan meeting back then. I believed your words were too extreme—they might stir unrest among the clan members, causing chaos. That's why I used [King's Binding Jutsu] to stop you."

Aozora laughed. "Speaking of that, I should thank the clan head. Without you, I wouldn't have awakened my [Sharingan] when I did."

Fugaku looked puzzled. "Just being held by [Immobilization Jutsu] like that—how could that trigger an awakening?"

He knew well how difficult it was to awaken the [Sharingan]. It typically required intense emotional upheaval or major life events.

Aozora gave an awkward smile. "Heh, momentary anger, I guess."

Hearing this, Fugaku didn't press further. Instead, he asked, "Back then at the clan meeting—you wanted to say more, didn't you? Now I want to hear what went unsaid."

"About rebellion?"

Seeing Fugaku's probing look, Aozora realized this was a test.

He shook his head. "Rebellion is a dead end."

Internally, Fugaku agreed, though questions remained.

He also believed rebellion wasn't the right path—but couldn't shake the feeling there was still a shot.

After Orochimaru's betrayal and the Nine-Tails' attack, the only two powerful figures left in the village who could give him pause were Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura.

Although ANBU and Root had many strong ninja, the Uchiha clan was no less lacking in power.

If he acted suddenly, there might actually be a real chance of success.

He asked doubtfully, "Why is that?"

Aozora answered, "Because except for the current village leaders, none of the other ninja clans will agree to an Uchiha becoming Hokage."

Fugaku frowned, "What does this have to do with the other clans?"

"Today's Konoha doesn't belong to just one family. It belongs to all the ninja clans and every shinobi in Konoha. To become Hokage, you must earn the recognition of the other clans."

Fugaku said, "We're a ninja clan just like them. Can't the Uchiha get support from the others?"

"Because," Aozora paused, stressing the next part, "a Hokage from the Uchiha would end up stepping on the toes of the other clans."

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